NYPD Ramps Up Resources Ahead Of Gay Pride Parade After Orlando

The annual New York City Pride Parade is June 26.

New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton announced Sunday that the NYPD is prepared to deal with a mass shooting similar to what happened in Orlando one weekend ago, ahead of New York City’s gay pride celebration, according to WPIX.

“The reality is, what happened there [in Orlando] is occurring much more frequently, at a much more rapid pace than at any time in our history,” Bratton said in an interview with AM 970.

Bratton’s comments come before the annual Pride parade on June 26, which is expected to see large turnouts of those who stand in solidarity with the Orlando victims.

He revealed the department’s preparedness comes from the support of two new tactical units; a 550 person Critical Response Command and a similarly trained 800 officer unit. These special officers will be stationed near tourist attractions, consulates, and embassies all over New York.

Bratton confirmed the NYPD is equipped and trained to respond swiftly, attributing research that most casualties happen within the first five to seven minutes in a mass shooting or terrorist attack.

“What we’ve attempted to do here in New York is have sufficient resources around the city with this equipment — long guns, tactical gear — that within five to seven minutes, I can have a significant number of officers anywhere in the city to go in and confront the attacker,” Bratton said.

He applauded Mayor Bill de Blasio for his support to fund and train the special tactical units.